Coin operated dispensing pump control



Jan. 5, 1954 s. H. ELLISON COIN OPERATED DISPENSING PUMP CONTROL Filed Dec. 15, 1948 n i; F E 1.

Patented Jan. 5, 1954 COIN QPERATED D -.GONT

ISPENSING: BUMP ROL oiaone-h alt .to Herman Ei -Mitschele, Chicago,

Application December 15, 194s; seriai uo; 65,479

.18 Claims. (cuss-4) The present invention relates to 'dispei'rsing pumps and. more particularly -to--a' novel-means and mechanism for initiating the" operation of a dispensing pump by the-insertionof a coin of the proper denomination. *Sucha pump-is'prefl erably one for dispensinggasoline or liquidiuel and the present novel invention comprehends an attachment therefor which permits the purchaser to personally operate theypumpand supply'his wants after depositing the requisitecoin-or coins.

In" view of the curtailed hours in which filling stations are open, for'service, it frequently happens that when a motorist'is travelling in the evening or late at night, 'or onsundays 'orholidays, his supply of gasoline becomes alarmingly to withdraw the: quantity of gasoline'for'which he has paid, itwillibe" appreciated"thatsuchjan attachment wouldfilla long feltneed' for bothlthe' service station,proprietor"as""well as Ior' the motorist. "It would allow '1 "the "service station proprietor todispenseigasoline atter'clos'ing hours without the "expense of having an "attendant available; and it would allow the motorist topurchase any desired quantity ormuch nededgasm line at the "then prevailing rate. I

It is, therefore, an object of the presentinvention to provide anov'el device" to: be appliedor attached to a gasoline dispensing or vending pump whereby the pump maybe actuate'dby'the motorist and thus make'it self-serving.

'The present invention further comprehends a novel means and .me'chanismin. thei'form 'of a relatively simple and coin-initiated attachment adapted to .be applied or connected .to.. the, computer shaft. of .any standard make ,of vgasoline vending pump and permitlthe motorist. to personally supply .his automobile with .a. quantity of gasoline, the quantity. dependingpponfthe idenomination and number of. coins deposited. .Upon the insertion. of ,the coin. or coins; .the, ..pump is made operative audit is a relatively 'simp1e-ma'tter for the motorist to supply his wants and with the assurance that. he is securing the,quantity' designated and is not paying a premium for. "the am'ountidispensed. v

Although 'the presentnov'el attachment is particiilarly advantageous in making gasoline available to a'motoristwhen the-service station is normally closed-for business, its use is not so limited but when installed upon a plurality of pumps, the owner or attendant at a service sta tion capable of supervising or servicing a much iarger number or automobiles than wouldbe possible under the present system and without requiring additional help iii-operating the pumps.

A still further objectof the present invention is theprovision or a. novel means andmechanism synchronized with the-operation of the computer head of any standard er -commercial "makei'of gasoline dispensing or vending: :pump for converting the pump *from-one requiring an attendant'to one that is *self servingand operatedby themoto-ristupon "theinserti'onof a comet predetermined denomination.

-Furtherobje'cts are to provide aconstru'cti'on of maximum simplicity, efliciency, economy and ease or assembly andoperation; and such further objects; advantages and capabilities asw'ill later more fully appear and a're inherently possessed thereby.

"The invention further resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts iilustrated in thaaccompanying "drawing, and while there is shown't'herein a preferred embodiment, f'ltiS tobe understood that the same "is susceptible of modification and" change and comprehends otherdetails, arrangements of parts,ieatures and constructionswithout Jdeparting" from the spirit .of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is aviewi in side elevationof a standard or commercial type of gasoline'dispensing pump to which'then'ovel invention has been applied; partsv of the outer housing of the pump assembly beingibroken away to more clearly disclosethe present invention.

:Fig;.2is'av fragmentary view in' front elevation 01'v the dispensing pump assembly of. Fig. 1, the front and a side .of-the pump housing. and other parts'being' broken awayr for :a .more complete understanding ofthe. coin operated mechanism.

Fig. 3 is. a. fragmentary enlarged. view, part. -.in side elevation and part vertical cross section, or the latch and switch assembly. and .their as sociated parts which are automatically .initiated by'fthemotoristin the dispensing .of the gasoline. I Referring to the disclosure. and more particularly to thenov'el embodiment shown in the drawing as illustrative of "the present invention, .the pumol therein 'shownand adapted to be converted'to' a coin operation; may be of any standard or commercial design and construction in which the pump is provided with a computer head 2. One form or arrangement and location of such computer head is shown in the illustrative drawing, it being understood however, that there may be a variation in the arrangement and location of the associated parts.

On the computer head 2 is a shaft 3 carrying a so-called money wheel 4 adapted to be driven by the gasoline meter. In some pumps this shaft makes one revolution for each ten cents worth of gasoline delivered, while in others the amount delivered in each revolution of the shaft 3 may be twenty-five cents worth. However, in each of these pumps the variations in price of the gasoline per gallon are corrected or compensated for in the transmission located generally just below the computer head and associated therewith. If the shaft 3 makes one revolution for each ten cents worth of gas delivered and the pump is converted to a coin operation of twenty-five cents, this motion is geared through a two and one-half to one reduction to thereby rotate a crank or eccentric through one revolution whereby to adapt it to an operation initiated by the deposit of a twenty-five cent piece. Part of the money shaft 3 is rotated when the reset crank, with which all such pumps are supplied to restore the pump to a zero reading after a customer has been served, has been operated. The present novel coin attachment is located ahead of the reset clutch whereby this part of the shaft rotates only when gasoline is being delivered.

The train of gears diagrammatically illustrated as associated with and at each side of and below the crank or eccentric 5, are standard gear assemblies in the computer heads of standard makes of gasoline dispensing pumps and therefore are not illustrated in detail. However, it is to be understood that the crank or eccentric 5 and its drive shaft are co constructed, arranged and related to the shaft 3 that the crank or eccentric rotates through a complete revolution for each coin deposited.

The crank or eccentric 5 is connected to a substantially vertically arranged crank arm or link 6 and a substantially horizontally arranged lever arm or bar I pivotally mounted at one end to a bracket 8, whereby the motion of the eccentric is reduced to a substantially rectilinear motion through the crank and link assembly.

Associated with the outer end 9 of the lever arm or pivot bar I is an upstanding latch rod II of a latch assembly I2. This latch assembly is provided with a substantially vertically positioned bar I3 pivotally mounted at its lower end upon a switch I4 for operating the motor A which in turn operates the computer head and actuating mechanism of the pump. Intermediate its length this bar I3 is provided with a latch I5 including a single direction latch member or dog I8 freely pivoted at I! upon a base or supporting plate I8 affixed to or formed integral with the bar I3. The latch member or dog I6 is confined within a bracket I9 secured to the base or supporting plate I8 by screws or other attaching means 2I.

The latch assembly I2 is movable bodily and laterally but is limited or confined in its inward lateral movement by a bracket 22 and in its outward lateral movement by a spring 23 having one end attached to the bar I3 and the other end secured to the housing or other fixed part of the pump. This latch assembly I2, eccentric 5 and associated parts, are so arranged, related and their movements so synchronized that when the pump is not being operated the upper end of the latch rod II is located in a position directly beneath the outer end 9 of the lever arm or bar I, and the latch assembly I2 including the latch rod II and bar I3 is held against vertical movement until released. This in turn prevents the switch I4 from being rotated to energize the motor A. In this latched, inoperative position, the cam 5, link 6 and lever arm I are moved to their lowermost position in which the cam is moved approximately from the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and the lever arm I is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane.

' To move the entire latch assembly I2 bodily and laterally (to the left in Figs. 2 and 3) against the tension of the spring 23, the tapered surface 24 on the latch or dog I6 is engaged. by the outer or free end of an elongated trip member or lever arm 25 (Fig. 1) clamped or suitably secured at the other end to an end of a shaft 26 projecting from a coin box 21 mounted at or in a wall of the pump housing. This shaft is rotated by a handle 28 disposed at the front of the coin box, the latter being of any suitable or standard construction provided with a coin slot or slots 29 and a bent coin return slot 30, the handle or operating member 28 and the shaft 2-5 being adapted to be rotated or actuated by rotating the handle through a limited are and in a clockwise direction when facing the front of the box. The are of movement of the shaft 26 is such as to cause the free end of the lever arm or trip member 25 to engage the tapered surface 24 on the latch or dog I5 and thereby move the latch assembly I2 bodily to the left as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3 and against the tension of the spring 23 an amount sufficient to dislodge the upper end of the latch rod I I from beneath the outer end 9 of the lever arm or bar I.

When the latch rod II is dislodged from beneath the end 9 of the lever arm or bar 1 and moved to one side of the latter (see dotted line position in Fig. 3), the entire latch rod assembly I2 is permitted to rise vertically and the switch I4 is in a position to be rotated to start the pump upon operation of the hose hanger hook or bracket in the manner to be later more fully explained. As the motorist allows the fluid to flow by operating the conventional valve on the end of the hose, the crank or eccentric 5 is permitted to rotate through a complete revolution. During the initial rotation or are of movement of the eccentric or crank 5, the outer end 9 of the lever arm or bar 'I is released and free, but as the lover I nears the top of its travel the upper end of the latch rod II is drawn or moved laterally under the end 9 of the lever arm I by the spring 23 where it is in position to be engaged by the lever I on its downward stroke. This is the full line positionin Fig. 3 and also in Figs. 1 and 2, wherein is shown the position of the lever arm I and the latch bar II at the apex of the arc of movement of the lever arm and at substantially the instant when the end 9 of the arm I engages the upper end of the latch rod II, the latter having been moved into this position by the spring 23. This engagement forces the latch rod assembly I2 downwardly whereby the bar I3 rotates the switch I4 which shuts off the pump motor. A suitable spring (not shown) is preferably provided to move the switch I4 in counter-clockwise direction.

Adjustably mounted upon the latch rod II by a set screw and spaced from its upper end is a collar 3|, and at the lower end of this rod is proaowosa vided a relatively light compression spring 32 seating against and disposed ibetween an enlargement or piston33 on the lower end of the latch rod and the upper end oi a'projection 34 provided at the upper end of the latch bar 13. The enlargement or :piston' 33 is 'slidably mounted within the upper portion "of Ia cylinder :01 tubular housing 35 provided bet-ween an upper faceplate or cap 35 and talowe'r faceplate :31. These face plates are disposed *and held: in spaced relation by tie rods 38 threaded at their lower ends 39 for adjustment and lockediin. their adlustedpo sition by lock nuts 4|.

The upper face plate 36 is provided with an upstanding sleeve-'42 apertured "for reception and movement of the sliding latch trod 'H and the lower face plate 31 is provided with an upstanding sleeve or collar 43' for receiving the lower end of the tubular housing 35. Encompassing this tubular housing is a relatively heavy compression spring 44 having its opposite ends -abutting the lower side of the upper face plate and the upper end of the collar-or sleeve 43 011 the lower face plate.

Further lowering. of the lever arm or bar '1 i i from the full line position in Fig. 3, depresses the latch rod l-l until the collar 31 engages the upper end of the upstanding sleeve 42 and which is just prior to the lower end ofthe stroke orarc of revolution, after which furthermovement of the lever arm or bar 1 and collar'3l against the sleeve '42 depresses this sleeve and the head or upper face plate 36' a ainst the relatively heavy compression spring "44; Thu during allbu't approximately the last' one-eighth of the revolution or are of movement -of the eccentric or crank 5 and after the collar 3 I engages the sleeve '42, the latch rod 1 I is depressed 'ag'ai'nstthe pressure of the relatively light compression spring '32, but during the remainder ofthearc of travel of the crank or eccentric 5- at-=the end'o'f its revolution further downward movement of-the latch bar 11 and latch assembly is'against the-compression of the heavierspri-ngfl.

This spring assembly serves a dual purpose. First, it allows very little :strain-on the eccentric or crank 5 when the flatteris at the apex of its downward or approximately last onehali revolution at. thetimewhen thereiis theleastl-leverage action. Second, it: shnts xofi the: motor switch I 4 with greater :snap action. atter ,ite'ng'ages the outer and heaviencompressionispring 44 and allows no. over=travel of :themoney wheel 4. In additiomthe. outer or heavier compressionspring also takes up'a-ny shock-setup byJthela-tch 'assembly and associated parts. after the motor switch l4 shut .oii. .BOfih the inner andlouter compression springs .areadjustableior variations in machining and. assembling tolerances.

Also connected toz-the switch j 4.is 1011a end ofa switch lever 4.5, the: otheriend of this .lever -being connected to apivotally mounted hose mounting or hook 46 adapted to receive andretain the nozzle of a dispensing .-hose 14 1. when thepump is not being operated. These partsJare-standard equipment on gasoline. dispensing pumps'of the manually control1ed,-electricallyoperated type for initiating the operation'of the: pump whenthe nozzle is removed fromthehooklfi andathe'lever or arm 45 is moved or depressed-to actuate the switch 14-. However, with the present invention the mere removal of the hose nozzle will. not trip the switch and energize themotor unless and until the requisite coin has been-deposited in the slot 29 and the handle ;28 and its shaft 26 have 6 beenatumeo toithelimit o1 their nrovement whereby thelatch rod H is moved :irom bme'ath the lever 1.

Upon release of 'the handle, :a spring or-other suitable tension means returns the handle and shaft to inoperative position. Such movement is permitted by reason of the free apivotal' movementor the "latch member or dog 16 in an upward direction so that the lever arm or trip member 25 rides over this latch or dog as the handle-28 and shaft :29 are returned. to inoperative up'osi tion by Trotationin a counterclockwisedirection. As in. the operation of the present standard or commercial forms of pumps,-gaso1in'e is' no't dispensed until the attendant :or motorist has inserted the nozzle into the gas tank and hasactuated. the usual trigger brother valve controlling mechanism generally positioned on: the .nozzle for controlling the flow.

In the operation of the present device, the nozzle -notshown) and hose are removed from the hook *46 and the nozzle inserted into theses tank. A coin of proper denomination is inserted into the :slot 29 and the handle =28 is rotated clockwise through an arc of approximatelyAEa-i. This-actuates the latch assembly 12 wherebyzthe lever arm or trip member 25 moves the latch member or dog It and the entire latch assembly to the left as viewed .in Fig. 2-and to the dotted line position of Fig. 3. Suchmovementremoves the latch rod. H at the upper end of the latch assembly from beneath the outer end $9 -of the lever armor bar 1, whereupon. the pivotally mounted switch M. for energizing the motor A is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction-fromits on position to a position in which the switch lever 45 is depressedand the latch bar l3 and latch assembly [2 are raised. The motor A is thus started but the designated quantity of gasoline is not di'spensed'except as the valve actuating means on the hose nozzle is operated and the money wheel 4 is rotated in the usual manner.

As gasoline is delivered, the crank or eccentric 5 rotates through a complete-revolution (Figs. 1 and 2, showing the crank after it has rotated through approximately one-half of its revolution) and when'it is' again at the bottom of its stroke after completing one revolution the latch rod H is disposedbeneaththe end! of 'thelever arm or bar '1'. 'When in the latter position the switch H is thrown to open position and the oneration of the pump is stopped. As in the present manually controlled pumps, opening of the switch H! to deenergize the circuit to the motor is so timed or related to the dispensing operation that the pump automatically and inst-an.-

'taneously ceases operation when the requisite or predetermined quantity of gasolineihas been metered. In the present device, theswitch is opened by the latch assembly [2' when thelever arm or bar 1 hasreached its lowermost point of travel.

Assuming that the operation of the pump is initiated by the insertion of a twenty-five cent coin, the computer head will showitha't amount of gasoline delivered at the conclusion of the dispensing operation. The pump maythereafter'be reset'to zero reading, or the motorist may insert one or more additional coins and after each subsequent delivery the .total oraggregatepurchase will appear on thecomputerhead. v

It will be understood that the present invention is applicable to coins of any desired denominations, the'only requirement :being that'the amountpi the coin selected to initiate thexaoperation and the rotation of the crank or eccentric be synchronized with the money wheel 4 on the computer head. Also, if the attachment is to function only at certain times and the pump so equipped be operated manually by an attendant at other times, it is intended that means be provided for disengaging or disconnecting the attachment at such times that an attendant is present and dispenses the gasoline. This may be simply accomplished by holding the latch rod H and latch assembly l2 from its association with the lever arm I and the crank or eccentric 5.

Although I have more particularly referred to the dispensing of gasoline, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be employed in the self-serving of fuel oil, etc.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim: 1. In a coin operated dispensing apparatus including a manually controlled and motor operated gasoline dispensing pump, a computer head, a switch for operating the motor, manually actuated means for closing the switch to operate the motor, and control mechanism for rendering the switch inoperative except upon the deposit of a designated coin, said mechanism including an eccentric connected to the computer head and rotated through one revolution each time an amount of gasoline is dispensed equal to that of a designated coin, latching mechanism connecting the switch and eccentric and automatically opening the switch at the end of each revolution of the eccentric, means for maintaining the latching mechanism engaged and the switch in open position, and a coin operated device including a manually operable handle and 1 a trip member for disengaging the latch mechanism when the handle is turned after depositing a designated coin whereby the switch is movable to closed position to operate the pump only upon depositing a designated coin.

2. In a coin operated dispensing apparatus including a manually controlled and motor operated gasoline dispensing pump, a computer head provided with a money wheel designating the cost of the gasoline dispensed, a switch for operating the pump motor, a hook connected to the switch for normally closing the switch to operate the motor when the hook is elevated, and mechanism for rendering the switch inoperative except upon the deposit of a designated coin and including a rotatable crank member connected to the computer head and rotated through one revolution each time an amount of gasoline is dispensed equal to that of the designated coin, a lever arm attached to said rotatable crank member, latching means connected to the switch and actuated by the lever arm for automatically opening the switch and stopping the pump at the end of each revolution of said rotatable member, means for maintaining the latching means in engagement with the lever arm to retain the switch open until another designated coin is deposited, and a manually operated, coin controlled means provided with a trip member for releasing the latching means and permit closing of the switch to operate the motor by elevating the hook only upon the insertion of the designated coin.

3. In a coin operated gasoline metering and dispensing pump of the manual control and motor operated type including a gasoline meter, a computer head provided with a money wheel driven by the gasoline meter, a switch for operating the pump motor, mechanism for tripping the switch to operate the motor and dispense the gasoline,

and mechanism for rendering the switch inoperative except on deposit of a designated coin, said mechanism including a coin control means having a coin box in which the coin is deposited, a handle, a rotatable actuating shaft operable by the handle upon deposit of the designated coin, an elongated trip member secured at one end to the shaft and rotatable therewith and the other end free, latch mechanism connected to the switch, an eccentric connected to and synchronized with the rotation of the money wheel and rotated by the meter through one revolution for each designated coin deposited, and an arm connected to said eccentric and adapted to be engaged by the latch mechanism for moving and retaining the switch inoperative, the free end of said trip member engaging and releasing said latch mechanism from engagement with the arm to permit the motor switch to be moved to closed position to operate the pump after deposit of a designated coin and rotation of the handle and its shaft.

4. In a coin operated dispensing apparatus including a manually controlled and motor operated gasoline dispensing pump, a computer head provided with a money wheel, a switch for operating the pump motor, means for closing said switch to operate the motor and pump, and control mechanism for rendering said switch closing means inoperative except upon the deposit of a designated coin, said mechanism including a member rotated in synchronism with the money wheel and for each revolution of said member a quantity of gasoline represented by the amount of the coin deposited is dispensed, an arm connected to said member, latching mechanism connected to the motor switch and adapted to he engaged by the arm at the end of each revolution of the rotating member for causing the latching mechanism to open the switch and stop the operation of the pump, a coin operating device for tripping the latch mechanism and disengaging it from the arm, and tension means for returning the latch mechanism to a position to again be engaged by the arm.

5. In a coin operated and motor driven liquid dispensing pump, a computer head for automatically measuring the quantity of liquid dispensed and designating the cost thereof, a switch for controlling operation of the pump motor, means for closing said switch to operate the motor, and control mechanism for rendering said closing means inoperative except upon deposit of a designated coin, said mechanism including a shaft coimected to the computer head and rotatable only when liquid is being delivered by the pump, a crank carried by said shaft, a lever arm connected to the crank for converting the rotation of said crank into a rectilinear motion, a latch mechanism including a part connected to and controlling the operation of the switch and a latch rod adapted to be engaged and depressed by the lever arm for causing said latch part to open the switch, and means manually operable by the motorist after the coin has been deposited for engaging and tripping the latch mechanism to disengage the rod from beneath the lever arm and permit the switch to close and operate the pump until the latch rod is again engaged and depressed by the lever arm at the end of a complete revolution of the crank and the latch part opens the switch and stops the operation of the motor.

6. In a coin operated and motor driven liquid dispensing pump, a computer head for automatically measuring the quantity of liquid dispensed and designating the cost thereof, a switch for controlling operation of the pump motor, means for closing said switch to operate the motor, and control mechanism for'rendering said switch closing means inoperative except upon deposit of a designated coin, said mechanism including a shaft connected to the computer head and rotatable only when liquid is being delivered by the pump, a crank carried by said shaft, a lever arm connected to the crank for converting the rotation of said crank into a rectilinear motion, a latch assembly having an arm connected to the motor switch for concluding aimanually controlled and motor operated gasoline dispensing pump, a computer head, a switch for controlling operation of the motor, means for operating said switch, and control mechanism for rendering said switch operating means inoperative except upon deposit of a 5 requisite coin, said mechanism including a coin operating device having a shaft and a tripping member manually operated by the motorist upon the insertion of a coin, a latch assembly moved to disengaged position by said tripping member upon rotation of the shaft and connected at one end to the motor switch and at the other end provided with a latch rod, a shaft and a crank connected to the computer head and operable only when gasoline is being dispensed by the pump, a bar pivotally mounted at one end and having its other end free, a crank arm connecting the crank to the bar for converting the motion of the crank to a rectilinear motion of the bar, the free end of said bar being disposed adjacent the end of the latch rod, and means for moving the latch assembly into engaging position where the latch rod is engaged by the free end of the bar and moves the latch assembly to open the motor switch at the completion of each revolution of the crank, and retaining the latchassembly in said engaging position until another coin is inserted and the handle and tripping member are again manually operated to disengage the latch assembly and its latch rod from engagement with the free end of the bar.

8. In a coin operated and motor driven liquid dispensing pump, a computer head for automatically measuring the quantity and designating the cost of liquid dispensed, a motor switch normally opened upon removal of the dispensing hose for operating thetpump, and control mechanism for rendering the motor switch inoperative except upon deposit of one or more coins of a predetermined denomination, said mechanism including a shaft connected to the computer head and rotatable only when liquid is being delivered by the pump, a crank carried by said shaft, a lever arm connected to the crank for converting the rotation of said crank into a rectilinear motion, a latch assembly having an arm connected to the motor switch for controlling the operation of the switch and a latch rod adapted to be engaged and depressed by the lever arm for moving the latch arm to open the motor switch when the crank has rotated through a complete revolution, a coin controlled shaft and tripping member for disengaging the latch assembly and dislodging the latch rod from the lever arm whereby the latch assembly is moved in a direction to close the motor switch and permit the pump to dispense a predetermined quantity of liquid in accordance with the coin deposited, and means for returning the latch rod to a position to be engaged by the lever arm.

SAMUEL H. ELLISON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,375,639 Madsen Apr. 19, 1921 1,561,599 Eppler Nov. 1'7, 1925 1,570,032 Baldner Jan. 19, 1926 2,269,937 Hart Jan. 13, 19 2 2,336,383 Alexander Dec. '7, 1943 2,384,585 Alexander Sept. 11, 1945 2,451.776 Rush Oct. 19, 1948 

